Whiffletree-hook.



PATENTED JULY 3 WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RICHARD HUGHES, OF CHAMA, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO, ASSIGNOR TO J.R. HUGHES INVENTION (10., OF CHAMA, TERRI- TORY OF NEW MEXICO.

WHlFFLETREE-HOOK- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RICHARD HUGHES, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Chama, in the county of Rio Arriba and Territory ofNew Mexico, have invented a new and Improved Appliance for Vehicles, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to appliances for vehicles; and it consists,substantially, in the details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

This invention has reference more especially to draft appliances for theends of either swingletrees or doubletrees (or as may also be said ofwhifiietrees) of vehicles for the attachment thereto of tugs ofharnesstraces.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an applianceof this kind which is exceedingly simple in its embodiment andcomparatively inexpensive to manufacture, besides being strong anddurable, easily and readily replaced when worn or broken, both effectiveand reliable in use, and possessing capacity for long and repeatedservice.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantiallysuch as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1is a side view of a device embodying my improvements, the swingletree orother member on which the device is applied being shown in section. Fig.2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View on the line3 3 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of one of theduplicate hooks employed.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated thatin the form of my improvements herein shown I employ a special appliancefor the purpose mentioned comprising duplicate reverselydisposed hooksof special embodiment for engagement therewith of aspecially-constructed double cockeye having a tug for attachment to orconnection with the end of an ordinary harness-trace. The embodiment issuch that when the double cockeye on the trace-tug is applied to orconnected with the said hooks it is practically impossible for the sameto become accidentally disconnected therefrom, irrespective of thedirections or angles assumed by the tug under ordinary conditions ofoperation.

While I have here represented my improvements in a certain preferredembodiment, it will be understood that I am not limited thereto inprecise detail, since immaterial changes therein may be made comingwithin the scope of my invention.

Reference being had to the drawings by the designating charactersthereon, 1 represents a portion of either a swingletree or a doubletreeof an ordinary draft device for vehicles, closely fitted to which at theend or other suitable part thereof is a collar or band 2, formed withduplicate eyes 3, preferably extending upwardly therefrom and whichmayoccupy any relative position with reference to same as may be desiredin practice. Fitting loosely within each of the said eyes 3 and freelyencircling the said collar or band 2 as thus applied to the swingletreeor doubletree 1 is a ring-shaped shank 4, which at 5 merges into a hook6, the bill 7 of which is returned in substantially the same plane andhas the end thereof outturned at 8, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) it beingobserved that the two hooks are opposite to each other and reverselydisposed one above the other, as shown in Fig. 1. The free extremitiesof the hooks extend as close tothe said ring-shaped shanks thereof as ispracticable, and in making connection of an ordinary harness-trace 9with the swingletree or doubletree 1 each of the eyes 10 of the doublecockeye 11, to which the trace is movably connected at 12, is slip edover the said bill 7 of one of the said dup icate hooks, and it will beseen that a most effective and reliable fastening or attachment for thetrace to the swingletree or doubletree is thus derived.

From the construction above described it will be seen that as the draftstrain may be imposed upon the trace 9 the said ringshaped shanks of theduplicate hooks will be swung or moved in such manner as that therearward portions 13 thereof will be caused to bear against thecorresponding surface portions of the collar or band 2, and thus willthe draft strain be assisted to be borne as well as partly neutralized,and thus obviating in a very great measure any disconnection or breakagebetween the parts of the structure set forth. As herein-represented inthe particular application of my improvements shown, the hooks aredisposed in horizontalplanes; but it is apparent that in other usesthereof it may be desired to use them either in vertical or otherplanes, all of which Will be considered to be comprehended .by myinvention. In some instances a single one only of my improvedduplicate-hook structure maybe employed in'various uses, as will beunderstood.

Having thus described my invention, I

. claim as new: and-desire to secure by. Letters -Patent ing a band fora plication-;tov HsSLlPPOIiBthGI-G- for, having dou le eyesthereon,;;and.,.duplicate hooks having ring shaped: shankstfittingloosely Within. the eyes and encircling said band.

.3. A deviceof the character describedhaving; a band for application-toasupporttherefor, having double eyes thereon, and .duplicate'hookshaving ring-shaped shanks fitting loosely Within the eyes and encirclingsaid .for, having double eyes thereon, duplicate hooks havingring-shaped shanks fitting loosely Within the eyes and encircling said'band,'the hooks being reversely disposed to each other, and a doublecockeye for engagement with the hooks.

5. An appliance* for-swingletrees and dou- =bletrees ofvehicles,comprisinga-band to be :ifitted to 'awsupport and havingv double, eyes,-and duplicate hooks having ring shaped .shanks. for encircling theband.

v:6. An appliance'for swingletrees and doubletrees ,ofivehicles,comprising double hooks,

and a tug having a double cockeyefor ens-gagementaby. the bills of: thehooks.

In testimony .whereof ,:I l have signed my name; to this specificationinthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

:JQHN RICHARD HUGHES. :Witnesses: THOMAS A..- GRAHAM, *-C.-W. ALLBEE.

